To improve the mechanical properties of nitrocellulose (NC), a cellulose mixed ester modified with double groups of nitrate and acetate groups-cellulose nitrate-acetate mixed ester (CNA) adhesive was prepared through the chemical modification of esterifying cellulose using nitric acid and acetic acid. The elemental content, solubility in acetone, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, etc., thermal properties, and compatibility of CNA were characterized by elemental analyses (EA), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), etc.. The detonation velocity, heat of detonation and plate mark of CNA-bonded explosives were measured. Results show that the nitrogen contents of two kinds of CNAs prepared are 4.27% and 8.16%, respectively. The introduction of acetate groups increases the solubility of cellulose mixed esters and improves the flexibility of molecular chains. The thermal stability of CNA with larger acetate-group-content (1.28) is increased by 6 ℃ to 13 ℃ compared with that of NC. The compatibility between CNA and most energetic materials is good. CNA is used as a binder for press-packed mixed explosives. CNA-bonded explosives have higher energy performance than fluororubber-bonded explosives.